Protein Requirements for Pigs Weaned at Two Weeks of Age

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Abstract
Three experiments involving 180 baby pigs were conducted to study the response to different levels of protein by pigs weaned at 2 weeks of age and fed until 8 weeks of age. The primary source of protein was a mixture of 2.16 parts ground corn and 1 part crude casein. Ten protein levels ranging from 10 to 31.8% were studied. Growth rate and feed efficiency were significantly affected by protein level fed. Sixteen percent protein in Experiment 3 and 16.6% protein in Experiments 1 and 2 produced rates of gain about equal to those obtained on higher protein levels. Feed required per pound of gain decreased markedly as protein level increased up to the 16 and 16.6% levels. Above these levels, there appeared to be a trend toward further increase in feed efficiency. However, the method of least squares applied to the feed data from all three experiments resulted in an estimated minimum protein requirement of 17.35±0.52%. When a mixture of 2.16 parts corn and 1 part crude casein served as the primary protein source in dry diets for two-week-old, weaned pigs, the minimum protein requirement appeared to be approximately 17%. Copyright © . .